Nitrous Oxide

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is a form of sedation dentistry that’s been used to keep patients calm and relaxed during dental procedures for over 100 years. It’s especially useful for procedures that are more invasive, like fillings, crowns, and extractions, or for young children who have dental anxiety or trouble sitting still.

Nitrous oxide is a conscious sedative, so it will put your child at ease without putting them to sleep. It doesn’t take away any sensation, so your dentist will still use a local anesthetics for your child’s procedure, if necessary.

How is nitrous oxide administered in dental procedures?

If you and the team at My Kidz Dentist decide to use nitrous oxide for your child’s procedure, your dentist places a special gas mask over your child’s nose and asks them to breathe in through their nose, not their mouth. The mask delivers a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, which your child will detect as a faint, sweet smell.

The medication takes effect after about five minutes, at which point your child will feel relaxed, happy, and comfortable, and might even get giddy or get the giggles. Your child will remain conscious and will still be able to understand and respond to any instructions from your dentist. The mask remains over your child’s nose throughout their entire procedure.

Once your child’s procedure is complete, your dentist turns off the nitrous oxide and administers pure oxygen through the mask for five to ten minutes. This serves to flush out any remaining nitrous from your child’s system. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately, so there’s no downtime or recovery period afterward.

Is nitrous oxide safe for my child?

Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of dental sedation and has been considered to be an incredibly safe form of dental sedation for over a century. Nitrous oxide doesn’t affect your child’s heart rate, has no negative effects on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, and very rarely has any side effects. In very rare instances, your child might experience a bit of nausea afterward or mild constipation.

To learn more about how nitrous oxide can improve your child’s visit to the dentist, schedule an appointment with the dental experts at My Kidz Dentist by calling the office nearest you or using the convenient online booking tool.